Warning signs were placed around Mission Trails Regional Park on Wednesday after several people reported seeing a mountain lion in the area, according to the city of San Diego. Specifically, a mountain lion was spotted near the Suycott Valley Trail.
The city warned hikers to stay alert, do not approach the mountain lion if you see one, and call 911 in case of an immediate threat.
⚠️ The City of San Diego and Mission Trails Regional Park are reviewing a possible mountain lion encounter near Suycott Valley Trail. Stay alert, do not approach wildlife and call 911 for an immediate threat.
📸: Department of Biology / Point Loma Nazarene University pic.twitter.com/30FHIzUyjO
— City of San Diego (@CityofSanDiego) July 28, 2026
“Anytime you enter a mountain lion’s habitat, there’s a chance that you could see one,” said Mission Trails Park Ranger Steve Blankenship.
“It was great to finally see one after many months of camera-tracking here in the park,” Blankenship said.
Blankenship told NBC San Diego’s Joe Little that Point Loma Nazarene students have been studying the mammal population at the park and snapped this picture below.
(Point Loma Nazarene University / Department of Biology)(Point Loma Nazarene University / Department of Biology)
“This is a big open space. You know, thousands of acres. This is where the mountain lions want to live,” Blankenship said. “A mountain lion really proves that this habitat is intact.”
“Yeah, I saw the sign right away. It was up there,” said Luis Ruan, a National City resident and one of the hundreds at Mission Trails Regional Park on Wednesday.
“Just being out in nature, it helps you,” Ruan said.
“This is its playground and hunting ground,” said Mission Trails Park Ranger Monica Demetry.
Demetry said they’re taking this opportunity to educate visitors.
“This is definitely a rarity. I’ve worked here for a few years now, and this is the first sighting that we’ve had,” Demetry said.
What should you do if you encounter a mountain lion?
Park ranger Demetry offered these tips if you come too close to a mountain lion.
Stand your ground. Just make sure you’re as big as possible.
Throw your water bottle at them
Scream, yell
Don’t run
Don’t crouch down
Don’t be too surprised if you spot a mountain lion — in the mountains. They lived here first.
“That’s like going into the ocean and seeing a shark. Right? That’s where they live,” Blankenship said.
Hiker Ruan agrees.
“We need to respect them. We need to respect their habitat,” Ruan said.